FBI Alert Reveals Possible Iran Drone Threat to California & Israel Expands War In Lebanon

March 13, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The FBI has circulated an intelligence alert warning that Iran may have considered launching drone attacks against targets in California as retaliation for American strikes. The bulletin, reviewed by ABC News and distributed to law enforcement agencies across the state, describes a scenario in which Iranian planners "aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles" launched from a vessel positioned off the U.S. West Coast. Officials stress the intelligence is incomplete — there is no information about specific targets, no timeline, and no confirmation the idea ever progressed beyond planning. But the alert underscores a long-standing concern: modern drones, including loitering munitions small enough to be launched from a rail system on a truck or small vessel, could allow a foreign adversary to strike the American homeland in ways that were impossible a decade ago. The waters off California are crowded with commercial traffic, and a small vessel could potentially launch drones while blending in. Iran and its proxies have used similar tactics in the Middle East against oil facilities, commercial shipping, and bases housing U.S. forces. Authorities, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, emphasize there is no evidence of an active plot. The intelligence suggesting Iran considered this type of attack dates to earlier this year, before the current war began

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What you'll learn

1 (01:00) **FBI Warns of Possible Iran Drone Threat to California** - The FBI circulated an intelligence alert that Iran may have considered launching drone attacks against targets in California as retaliation for U.S. strikes.
2 (09:08) **U.S. Intel: Iran's Regime Remains Stable Despite Strikes** - A new U.S. intelligence assessment concludes that Iran's clerical and military leadership remains largely intact and in control after two weeks of joint U.S.-Israeli strikes.
3 (14:08) **Israel Expands Campaign in Lebanon After Hezbollah Rocket Barrage** - Hezbollah launched roughly 200 rockets and drones toward Israel, prompting Israel to prepare for a wider military campaign in Lebanon.
4 (22:13) **Iran's President Lays Out Three Demands to End the War** - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian outlined three conditions for ending the conflict with the U.S. and Israel, which are considered non-starters.
5 Standout Quotes
6 (02:06) "And this is why you can't apply logic or Western strategies to a conflict against ideologues."
7 (13:45) "The bottom line is that the most important card that the Iranian regime has to play is its influence over global energy markets, specifically their ability to control the Strait of Hormuz, remove that card, figure out a way to wrest control of the strait from the Iranian regime, and suddenly the mullahs and the IRGC are left with no leverage."

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Show Notes

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:

First up — a chilling warning from the FBI. According to a new intelligence alert, Iran may have considered launching drone attacks against targets in California in retaliation for U.S. military strikes. We’ll break down what investigators uncovered and what the threat could mean for security here at home.
Later in the show — despite nearly two weeks of relentless airstrikes, U.S. intelligence reportedly believes Iran’s regime remains firmly in control. We’ll take a look at the new assessment and what it suggests about the durability of Tehran’s leadership.
Plus, Israel prepares to expand its campaign in Lebanon after Hezbollah unleashes a major overnight rocket barrage into Israeli territory.
And in today’s Back of the Brief — Iran’s president outlines three demands he says would bring the war with the United States and Israel to an end.

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